Shields many treasure-laden his henchmen thitherward bare, And therefrom to his friends bright silver unweighed did the knight-king share, Five hundred marks unto each one--unto many an one yet more: So was Gunther advised of Gernot, that noble counsellor. {P. 43} Then prayed all, "Let us depart hence"; for now would they fain ride home; And into the presence of Kriemhild did the guests for farewell come, And unto the foot of the high-seat whereon sat Uta the Queen. Ne'er in such gracious fashion were guests sped forth, I ween. Now void were the city's hostels, as forth of the gates they rode; Yet still in the land Burgundian in royal state abode The King with all his kinsfolk in the midst of a knightly train, And each day in the presence of Kriemhild appeared each noble thane. Then Siegfried the hero petitioned, "I pray you, let me depart"; For his hope waxed faint of winning her who was queen of his heart: And the King heard tell of his purpose, that thence he would fare straightway. But the young lad Giselher pleaded, and wrought on him to delay: "Whither away, O Siegfried, is thine heart on journeying set? Nay, hearken to my petition, abide with the good knights yet; Abide thou with King Gunther and his loyal liegemen still. Lo, here be lovely ladies: thou mayst see them at thy will." Made answer Siegfried the mighty: "Nay then, let the steeds abide. Lo, I have foregone my purpose, and hence not yet will I ride. Bear hence the shields and uphang them--albeit I long for mine home, Lord Giselher's love true-hearted hath turned my mind therefrom." So tarried the valiant warrior there by a friend's love won. In all the rest of the wide world other place was there none Wherein he had rested so gladly; and now none said him nay, But he looked on the beauty of Kriemhild ever day by day; For the sake of her measureless fairness he could not choose but stay. In many a pleasant pastime they wore the hours away. Only he felt love's torment, he knew none other care. --Ah me, but the days were coming when she should be his death-snare! VI. How they Voyaged on Love-quest to Isen-land {P. 44}